Ince: A Good Training Exercise

Manager Pleased With First Pre-Season Run-Out

Blackpool manager Paul Ince was happy with The Seasiders' first pre-season run-out at Penrith this afternoon.

Goals from Matt Phillips and Thomas Ince helped the team to a 2-0 victory, but it was the fitness exercise as a whole that was of utmost importance.

"The most important thing was the training exercise," he said. "We've had two good weeks - one in Portugal - and the lads do get to the stage where they want to get out on the pitch and play some football. They did OK. It wasn't about the result, it was about getting the work ethic in."

The manager took the opportunity to take a look at a few trialists and players that have been training with the club, including former defender Rob Edwards and striker Caleb Folan.

"It's always hard when you've got trialists and you're chopping and changing," he admitted. "The second-half was more my team and you could see the difference straight away. It was purely about getting the fitness in, getting on the ball and looking after the ball. We'll get stronger as it goes on."

The hosts, Penrith, offered some fantastic hospitality and Ince was delighted to travel up with the squad to help the Cumbrian side raise some money.

"They are lovely, lovely people and they love the game, and sometimes footballers at the high level don't love the game. The result doesn't matter for me, we just wanted to try and hopefully help Penrith with the attendance that we got today and help move them forward a bit."

All attentions now turn to a blank space in next weekend's calendar, with the manager determined to find a fixture ahead of the meeting with York on Saturday 20 July.

"We need another game, especially after today. It's nice as players when you're training throughout the week and you've got something to look forward to on a Saturday. If we don't have a game next week it sort of takes you back to square one," he added.